Take a look at our “don’t misses” as you plan out your Friday and Saturday sessions.

Happy Drinking!

The sour smorgasbord:
After debuting at GABF last year — and generating quite a bit of buzz — brewpub Destihlof Normal, Ill. has returned with six different sours that do not disappoint. (The Reserve Gose is my favorite, but the Sour Hawaii Ale is probably the most unique.) And great news for Colorado, founder and brewmaster Matt Potts says they’ve secured warehouse space to start production brewing and, thanks to the warm reception here in Colorado, we’re one of the top five states they hope to start shipping kegs to by the end of 2013. Fingers crossed!

But that’s far from all for sour fans. Both New Belgium and Avery are each featuring two true gems. Tart Lychee, which goes quickly from sought out to sold-out after each release and NBB Love Felix are must tries from New Belgium. And on Thursday night, Avery head brewer Adam Avery was pouring samples of Oud Floris and Odio Equum, a best of fest pick from your humble First Drafters.

And speaking of “don’t miss,” if your interested in trying the much-lauded Persica from Crooked Stave, plan to arrive early at the booth. By 8:30 Thursday, the Brett-focused brewer was out of every beer on offer.

The Pavilions:
GABF organizers have clearly put a lot of love into the pavilions that serve as little oasises (oasi?) in a sea of booths. The Farm to Table Pavilion comes highly recommended, though we didn’t make it there Thursday. So do the collection of brewers guilds’ booths, especially San Diego’s.

But we’re suckers for free food, more so when that free food is soft pretzels. At the Brewpub Pavillion, you’ll find not only a randomly selected assortment of brewpubs from across the nation, but a variety of snacks set out on bar tables. (And if you’re hungrier, there are more substantial edibles for purchase.)

For beer, try the bright and light Citra Double IPA from Brunswick, New Jersey’s Harvest Moon Brewery and Cafe or the Farmhouse du Tomme from Trinity Brewing. The beer was inspired by a hike along a Colorado trail and spiked with amaranth, rose hips and lemongrass. Several of the pubs brought their own cheese pairings, too. The Paradise Moon Porter from Six Rivers Brewing paired excellently with the Truffled Tremor cheese out of Humboldt County.

The new (to us) kids on the block:No-Li Brewhouse out of Spokane, Wash. debuted in Colorado bottle shops about a month ago. Both their Born & Raised IPA and Silent Treatment Pale are spot on, which makes sense since head brewer Mark Irvin has been brewing professionally for more than two decades. Likewise, we were happy to run across Oakshire out of Eugene, Ore. who had the presence of mind to pair bitter hops with bitter coffee in their Goat Shed IPA in a way that made us wonder why we haven’t seen more of that match up.

The much-plugged Jester King out of Austin, Tex. didn’t knock every beer out of the park, but their Das Uberkind! Sour Session beer was a helluva home run. By the time we dropped by, the Boxer’s Revenge Barrel Aged Wild Ale had run dry, but that sour session was so good we’re hoping for a second chance at the Wild Ale tonight.

And we know that Epic Brewing Company out of Salt Lake City, Utah is hardly a “new name” around these parts. We’re squeezing them in because, apparently, they’re opening a second brewery in Denver and anyone brewing high-ABV beer in Utah deserves a shout out. Try their Brainless on Peaches (it’s what they’re known for) or their Big Bad Baptist Imperial Stout.

Our new iPad app serves as a guide to metro Denver’s bountiful breweries, beer bars and bottle shops, the holy trinity of craft beer enjoyment for followers and fans. Download the app for iPad .
Next time you head for a beer in Boulder, don’t forget your friend, Beers of Boulder and Boulder County, an iPad app from the Daily Camera. Download the app for iPad .

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In Colorado, our pint glasses overflow with excellent beer. New breweries, new batches, festivals every other week. How lucky are we? First Drafts is The Denver Post's beer blog aimed at helping you keep tabs on the state's ever-expanding craft beer culture. We offer a mash of news, event coverage, homegrown stories, tasting notes and tips to help you imbibe. Expert drinker or homebrewer? Let us know what you're loving about Colorado's beer scene. Not sure exactly what a firkin is? No worries, let us be your guide. Go ahead. Belly up and drink it in!